Woolies shoppers on bargain hunt

By Marie Jackson BBC News

Shoppers home in on Woolworths in Brixton in search of a bargain

It is, say the reports, a black day for Woolies - the beginning of the end.

For many years a staple of British High Streets, Woolworths' 815 stores opened for business today with a closing down sale.

Administrators handling the debt-ridden company are keen to clear what stock remains in the run-up to Christmas, so prices continue to be slashed.

At the long-established south London branch on the bustling Brixton Road, early-rising bargain hunters had been hoping for a half-price discount.

Instead, DVDs were down just 10%, kitchenware by 20% while the best bargains were children's fancy dress costumes and Christmas cards and wrapping paper, reduced by 30%.

Shelves, once stocked with stationery and children's toys, are already bare after two weeks of cut prices.

Trays of pick 'n' mix, Woolworth's best-known offering, though were still stuffed full and selling at full price.

But queues outside some stores this morning were much shorter than had been anticipated.

Was it sale fatigue, the short-notice or the odd empty shelf that had put people off?

I'd heard there was going to be 50% off everything - it's very disappointing Paula Hatch, accompanied by daughter Shauna

In Brixton, Paula Hatch, and her 16-year-old daughter Shauna, were the first of about a dozen to arrive at the store before weary-looking staff opened the doors.

She had been hoping to grab some cheap CDs and DVDs. Instead, she went home with a double duvet and some Christmas cards for less than �10.

"I'd heard there was going to be 50% off everything. It's very disappointing," she said.

Rachel Grieg, 29, left the store empty-handed.

"The stuff that's left is not what I would be interested in. I don't know why I bothered," she said.

Regular for 25 years, Lynda Penedo, was similarly disappointed but predicted when prices really start to fall, things will "go crazy".

Not everyone felt the same though. Lorraine Martin, laden down with enough to fill her five-year-old son's Christmas stocking, was delighted with her pre-work shopping trip.

"I've got a toy trolley, board games, Christmas cards, chocolates and cartoons on DVD, all for �22.50," she said.

It seems low prices are something that are expected by Woolworths' customers - and precisely what they will miss.

'Odd range'

"You go there for very straight-forward, cheap stuff. If I wanted something nice, I wouldn't buy it from Woolworths," said regular customer Fiona McKenzie.

Today, she felt she left with a good deal - four Linda Barker mugs for �4.80, down from �6.

Among customers there was a sense that Brixton would be worse off without Woolworths.

An underwhelmed Rachel Grieg left the store empty-handed

There was sympathy for staff who could lose jobs, but little sentimentality for the store itself - more an acceptance that such a handy shop for bits and bobs would not easily be replaced.

"It was in need of being updated. It had an odd range of goods and was struggling with its identity," said Ms McKenzie.

The Brixton branch occupies an art deco building in a prime spot of a busy shopping area, picking up passing trade from Tube and bus travellers.

Exactly who would move in if the store closes is not known, but the neighbourhood already has a Tesco, Sainsbury's and a Poundland.

Woolworths' regulars seem to agree that an Asda store might be the best bet. But not everyone is ready to give up on Woolies just yet.

Shopper Lavern Warren is hoping it is not too late for the store she has come to rely on.

"It should be saved. It's a British shop and there's only one Woolworths."

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